Renewed pleas for extra police in an “abandoned” town have been sounded amid efforts to recruit 160 extra special constables to Cleveland Police .

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger was told how Loftus needed more “seen police” following anti-social behaviour from youths.

The Loftus Neighbourhood Action Partnership met and heard from Sergeant John Hutchinson, who has been redeployed to the area for the months ahead of his retirement.

“As you know we cannot do everything - we can’t be stopping every car in the street,” said Sgt Hutchinson.

“Unfortunately quite a lot of people don’t like us doing public engagement but if we can stop little Jimmy at this age because the teachers have told us and our officers speak to him now, we may influence him and direct him down the right route in life.”

An update also revealed how seven 16-year-olds were causing “a lot of problems” outside the youth club and the job centre in Loftus.

And the committee heard how two “very problematic” young people, one of whom had caused “50 incidents”, had been given anti social behaviour injunctions (ASBIs).

Sgt Jon Hutchinson (Image: Katie Lunn)

The meeting also heard how youths often gathered in the Valley Gardens, in Saltburn , from surrounding towns and villages on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sgt Hutchinson said the force was trying to “reinvigorate neighbourhood policing” and was working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Mary Lanigan, borough councillor for Loftus, appreciated Sgt Hutchinson’s passion but said the problem in East Cleveland was the lack visible police.